I have a medical problem. Can I still do yoga?

The general advice is to consult a medical practitioner before you start any new exercise regime and this is particularly important if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have low or high blood pressure, or having any existing medical condition or injuries.

If you have medical issues and you are not sure about certain yoga poses or practices, please consult your doctor or health professional who can see you in person. We cannot offer medical advice. The information on our website may not be tailored to your specific physical and/or mental health circumstances.

If your doctor is not familiar with yoga you can ask them about general types of movements: forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions (where your heart is higher than your head), and balancing poses. If it is relevant to your condition, ask about weight-bearing on your hands or knees. Check if there is any problem with breath retention or your blood pressure - in which case you'll need to avoid certain pranayama (breathing) techniques.

However, if you are familiar with your medical condition and know what types of movements or practices to avoid then yoga can be a great way to take care of your body and mind. There are plenty of ways to adapt yoga poses so that everyone can practice them. You can also use extra props like a chair if you are recuperating.

You'll find lots of therapeutic classes, chair yoga and yoga for seniors on the classes page. Use the filters to help narrow your search.